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Liver Disease Risk Factors

Being aware of risk factors that can be responsible for liver disease is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from complications later in life. Below are several risk factors for various types of liver disease.

Hepatitis C¹²³

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the U.S. The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been referred to as the silent disease since millions have the condition, but many of them are not aware, because most infected people do not experience any signs or symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that anyone with one or more risk factors for Hepatitis C be offered a screening test. Risk factors include:

Injection drug use

Inhalant drug use (i.e., cocaine)

History of hemodialysis

Transfusions or organ transplants (blood and organs before 1992 and blood products before 1987, i.e., clotting factors in hemophilia, etc.)

Health care/public safety workers and members of military exposed to blood